ISTANBUL
After what seemed like the longest day of travel we finally arrived in Istanbul as the sun was setting over the stunning mosques and majestic skyline. Tired eyes and 20kgs of luggage strapped to our backs we were ready for the unknown and what Turkey had to offer. Continue reading “TURKEY; K+K FIT AND HEALTHY GUIDE TO”
It has been a while since I have done a Feature Friday on the blog. Sorry – I have been traveling the world sunning myself for hours on pebbley beaches and cheersing to cocktails at sunset (a lovely way to live for those interested) But it also means that I have neglected a part of me that I am passionate about. My Health, fitness and wellbeing and writing . SO back to the drawing board they say and what better way to start than an Italian style FEATURE FRIDAY. And what better Italian dessert than the ever so famous Tiramisu. This gluten, sugar and dairy free Tiramisu is one to add to the to do list this weekend or the next family affair. An old sugary favourite with a healthy kick thanks to the gorgeous foodie blogger Emily from “This Rawsome Vegan Life” Continue reading “FEATURE FRIDAY – RAW VEGAN TIRAMISU SLICE”
So I am lying on a pebble beach sunning my backside with my toes just touching the lapping water. I am in Kotor, Montenegro without a care in the world. Nowhere to be. Nothing to be done (we do have a load of washing in our apartment going on at the moment… thanks to Rob) and no one to attend to. It has been 2 weeks since we packed up our lives into 16kg and lugged it to our backs flying half way across the world. Continue reading “EATING HEALTHY WHILST TRAVELING”
Because I don’t keep things very private or quiet (never have) you probably ALL know that today is my last day at work. It feels like the last day of school. The unknown of leaving high school or graduating university. Anyway enough of that for now… as my last Friday at work I thought it fitting to have en epic Feature Friday. As a kid those Jaffa chocolate balls were my fave! I love the combo of chocolate and orange (thanks to my dad) and have been drooling over a Jaffa cheesecake for a while now. Continue reading “RAW CHOCOLATE ORANGE JAFFA CHEESECAKE – FEATURE FRIDAY”
Growing up Mac n Cheese was a staple in our household. Mum used to make the most insane mac that we all devoured! I have made mum’s classic dish a few times over the last couple of years but wanted to make a ‘healthy’ completely guilt free version for the gluten intolerant and of course add as many vegetables as I possibly can into the mix without making it look like a stir fry. SUCCESS!!! Continue reading “5 HIDDEN VEGGIE MAC ‘N’ CHEESE”
… I quit my job. 4 more days sitting at my desk and then my entire life is about to be thrown upside down… in a good way. 4 weeks ago my partner and I booked a one way ticket to Istanbul, Turkey and have decided to get out of the small (and beautiful) nation’s capital and see the world. How long for and where we are going are questions we don’t have answers to but the excitement is through the roof. Continue reading “I QUIT SUGAR… OH AND MY JOB”
This green is the perfect combination of gnarly greenness and sweetness because lets face it no one wants to be sipping of just kale right? I always like to add at least one sweetener to my smoothie – all natural of course. Because it means I can jam some wilted greens from the fridge without paying the price on the taste buds. Food is meant to be enjoyed so don’t make yourself block your nose and scull a horrific chunky smoothie that doesn’t taste unreal! And why would you when there are so many delish recipes out there. This is my go to green warrior smoothie when I am feeling my body needs an extra boost of greens and veggies. Continue reading “GREEN WARRIOR SMOOTHIE”
Don’t pay $18 at a cafe when you can make it at home so easily. You don’t need to buy frozen acai either, I love using Acai powder from Tropeka. Shop at your local Health food store and they will have many brands. So here is my classic Acai bowl recipe. Simple and looks oso vibrant and healthy. Go NUTS with the toppings (pardon the pun) It is super delicious and who doesn’t love spooning their food! Continue reading “ACAI BOWL”
Friday again… I know I keep saying it but seriously WHERE ARE THE DAYS GOING? This feature Friday I have chosen the incredible Laura Henshaw. I am loving her blog, instagram and latest Ebook (with Steph Smith >> LINK HERE) lately and keep finding myself back on her page (creep)! Not only is her food incredibly delicious and nutritious but she has a wonderful well minded and balanced relationship with food and the health and fitness industry. Being a model she is constantly faced with pressures to be thinner and hotter each day but she maintains a balanced lifestyle with regular exercise, healthy wholesome foods and 7-8 hours sleep each night. Laura loves her on the go high protein snacks and has recently started a protein company of her own called Four Protein >> site HERE. Laura says “My favorite snack are these delicious little protein filled chocolaty balls. They are packed with protein, good fats (from the nuts) and taste amazing (tick all the boxes.) The best part is they are completely clean and although taste like chocolate have zero added sugar.” This recipe for Chocolate Covered Cacao Fudge Protein Balls made me drool and I think you should all try it out this weekend. Nothing like a little chocolaty goodness to get you in the mood for the weekend!!
CHOCOLATE COVERED CACAO FUDGE PROTEIN BALLS
Protein Ball
1 cup of almonds*
1 cup of medjool dates
1/2 cup of chocolate protein powder**
2/3 cup of organic desiccated or flaked coconut
2 heaped tbs organic cacao powder
1 tbs coconut oil
Extra coconut or cacao powder to roll balls in
Chocolate coating (Optional)
2 tbs coconut oil
2 tbs cacao powder
1/2 tsp stevia***
METHOD
1. Combine all ingredients (a part from extra coconut and cacao for rolling) for the protein balls in a food processor until combined.
2. Once combined roll into balls – I prefer mine quite small but you can make them whatever size you like.
3. Melt coconut oil and mix in cacao powder and stevia.
4. Roll balls in coconut, cacao or the chocolate mixture (this is only a good idea if they will be refrigerated at all times as the coconut oil will melt and can be quite messy)
5. Put balls rolled in chocolate mixture in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until mixture sets and then transfer to fridge. Balls not covered in the chocolate mixture can go straight into the fridge!
NOTES:
* If you are allergic to nuts you can replace the almonds with sunflower seeds/pepitas/linseed (a mix of all three is best)
** This is optional however I would recommend it adding it to increase the protein content. You could use almond meal or coconut flour instead
*** You can sweeten with your preferred sweetener- coconut sugar or honey also works.
Enjoy! Xx
Check out Laura’s website/blog >> HERE
Now if there is ONE thing that I have failed at most in the kitchen – it is healthy and clean alternatives to chocolate chip cookies. In fact all types of clean cookie attempts have ended up in the cupboard or freezer for months on end and eventually in the bin. It doesn’t matter WHAT I tried, they always turned out more like rubber door stops than edible delights… until now! The biggest life lesson going around is ‘when you get knocked down – get back up’ and so I thought I would try ever so hard to redeem myself and bake some sugar-free healthy cookies once and for all. I tried a completely different technique and didn’t use any protein powder or eggs in the hope that they would resemble an actual cookie with a crunch factor. I was so surprised by the final result that I made a second batch the following day. These cookies store great in the freezer and are the perfect cookie for that afternoon sugar craving or late night crunch without ruining your healthy lifestyle. These cookies are sweetened with a date paste made from 100% organic raw medjool dates and low GI organic coconut sugar. I love cooking with (and snacking on) Medjool dates. They are natures number 1 sweet fix without the nasties and come down of the ‘white stuff’. Dates are packed with fiber for a healthy digestive system and full of essential nutrients and minerals. Try my sticky date pudding >> recipe here.
THE BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
About 16 cookies – GF SF V P DF – 15 minutes
15 medjool dates (pitted) soaked in boiling water for 15 minutes
1 cup almond butter
1 cup spelt flour (could also use wholemeal flour or quinoa/buckwheat etc)
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 Tbs flax meal or ground chia seeds
1/4 cup boiling water
1 cup roughly chopped dark chocolate (quality matters – I use 70-85% Lindt dark or Raw Dark Loving Earth)
3 Tbs coconut oil melted
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon (you can omit this but I am a cinnamon addict so added it without thinking twice)
1/4 cup coconut sugar
METHOD
Preheat oven to 170 degrees Celsius. Line baking tray with baking paper and set aside.
Soak dates in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Drain. Pour dates into food processor and process until it forms a paste. You may want to add a dash of hot water if it is not soft enough.
Mix the flax meal with 1/4 cup boiling water until a gooey gel forms. Add this to the food processor.
Add the almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla and coconut sugar and pulse until combined.
In a large bowl mix the ‘dry’ ingredients together. Pour date almond butter mixture into dry bowl and combine with a wooden spoon. Add the dark chocolate chunks and stir.
Roll into balls and place on baking paper. Flatten with a fork or your fingers and place in oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown.
Cookies will be soft and delicate until they cool down. Allow to completely cool before transferring. I like to store mine in the freezer for that extra crunch and it also stops them from crumbling.
Enjoy!!
K
Note; I didn’t have flax seed meal at the time so I just added whole flax seeds for an extra crunch factor. If you do this you must omit the 1/4 cup boiling water as this is only for the flax ‘gel’. If your mixture is dry – add a little more boiling water. It should be sticky!
You can be a little bit creative with your cookies and add some extras like coconut, chia seeds, orange rind or goji berries… :)
KATIE MORGAN 